What could Louisiana do with $6 million? How far do you think the state could stretch that money in additional infrastructure projects or health care? Those are the questions Secretary of State Tom Schedler is asking after the Oct. 14 elections garnered a scant 13.6 percent voter turnout statewide, and he’s asking lawmakers to allow some incomplete terms to be filled via appointment rather than special election to save voters money. In an interview with The News-Star, Schedler said he’s worked since taking office in 2010 to decrease the number of statewide elections, when possible, to reduce costs.
Generally, the state now has four a year consisting of a primary and runoff in the spring and the fall. Still, he said, voters can feel like there’s always an election. Instead of tuning in, they’re tuning out and not paying attention to what’s being determined at the poll.
Four statewide issues were on the ballot in the most recent election: the state treasurer primary and three constitutional initiatives. The number of votes for each ranged from 401,499 to 405,682, so even those who turned out didn’t vote for every race.
Full Article: Schedler proposes appointments to reduce special elections.